Newnan and the Carnegie honored by the Georgia Trust

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 12:20pmBen Nelms

The City of Newnan and the Carnegie has received the award for Excellence in Rehabilitation from The Georgia Trust. The award was presented April 9 during The Georgia Trust’s Spring Ramble in Rome, Georgia at the DeSoto Theatre. Mayor Keith Brady was at the award ceremony to accept the award on behalf of the city.

“This award is such a great and distinct honor. The Mayor and City Council along with city staff truly work very diligently on the Carnegie Project,” said Newnan Public Information Officer Gina Snider. “Without the community’s interest and support this project would not have come together so rapidly and brilliantly.”

The Mission of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is to promote an appreciation of Georgia's diverse historic resources and provide for their protection and use to preserve, enhance and revitalize Georgia's communities.

The Vision of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is for Georgians to understand and appreciate the irreplaceable value of historic buildings and places and their relevance to modern life. The trust envisions Georgians who promote careful stewardship and active use of the state’s diverse resources and recognize the economic and social benefits of preservation. The trust envisions communities where new development complements and reinforces thriving downtown and historic neighborhoods, contributing to a healthy and enriched humane environment.

Newly restored by the City of Newnan, the Carnegie has brought back library-type services in the downtown area. The bottom floor of the building serves as a reading room and the second floor as a meeting space. Among its many offerings, the Carnegie brings popular magazines and newspapers, computer workstations and Wi-Fi access, a gallery for local exhibits, meeting rooms with warming kitchen and programs for adults and children.

The Carnegie serves the public with a non-circulating reading room, children’s area, and an art gallery. It seeks to be an integral part of the community by offering print and electronic materials.

The Carnegie was funded by the General Fund and partly by 2007 Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The Carnegie’s cost to be renovated was over $1.5 million dollars to the city.